Aaron Donald has been retired since the end of the 2023 season, but he is putting the pads back on for one more run.
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The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has agreed to return to the NFL. He has signed a one-year deal with his former team, the Los Angeles Rams, that carries a maximum value of $30 million.
This contract carries a $10 million base salary. He has roster bonuses built into the contract that take the number even higher. So if he plays nearly the entire regular season, he will earn another $10 million.
The third chunk of money ties into playoff bonuses — something that countless players have written into their contracts. If the Rams make the playoffs, Donald gets more money. If the team gets to the divisional round, that amount goes higher.
So if the Rams reach the playoffs, win the NFC championship, and then win Super Bowl 61, Donald will earn another $10 million. This will take the total contract value to $30 million.
Before he retired, Donald was arguably the most dominant defender in the NFL. He played for 10 seasons, and he earned eight First-Team All-Pro selections. He also won Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year three times. He earned 10 Pro Bowl selections.
The big man anchored the Rams defensive line while racking up 543 combined tackles, 24 forced fumbles, and 111 sacks. He led the NFL in tackles for a loss twice (2018, 2019) and sacks once (2018). He also helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl win to close out the 2021 season.
Now, the once-retired Donald will join a stacked defensive roster that includes the recently acquired Myles Garrett, who set the single-season sack record last season with the Browns. The line also includes Byron Young, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, and Kobie Turner.
"To be honest with you, it was on and off for a little while, but I think I knew this decision about two weeks (ago)," Donald said after signing his deal. "I know the world was saying all types of things and nobody knew what was going on, but I kind of knew for two weeks.
"I talked to Sean (McVay, head coach) every single week, damn near every day. We stayed in contact. I'd give him all my updates of how I was feeling, how things was going. I was doing everything I needed to do to get myself some peace of mind to see if I can do it. Wasn't no rushing. Just
